Oaklawn: Street Story gives Asmussen good shot in Dixie Belle

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Street Story on Friday will attempt to help her trainer, Steve Asmussen, start Oaklawn Park’s new season the same way he ended the meet last year – in front. Asmussen took down the track’s training title in April, and in Street Story has the possible favorite for the first stakes of the 2014 meet, the $100,000 Dixie Belle.

Boosted in value from last year’s purse of $60,000, the Dixie Belle is for 3-year-old fillies at six furlongs. A field of nine is set, including More Than Beauty, a Churchill Downs allowance winner who will vie for favoritism for the Borel brothers, jockey Calvin and trainer Cecil. Silver Valley, who last summer captured the $100,000 Mountaineer Juvenile Fillies, adds further depth to the race.

Oaklawn’s opening card also features a pair of routes for 3-year-olds. Miguel Mena is in to ride Son of Dixie against Mark Casse trainees Downey Gap and Phenomenalmoon in a first-level allowance at a mile that goes as the ninth, while Rockport Harbor’s son, Harbor Bound, should be a strong favorite in the fifth, a maiden special weight at 1 1/16 miles.

Street Story, a daughter of Street Cry from the female family of multiple Grade 1 winner Point Given, races for Whispering Oaks Farm. She won a maiden special weight at Churchill Downs in her second career start June 27, and enters the Dixie Belle off a runner-up finish in the $48,000 Letellier Memorial at Fair Grounds on Dec. 21.

“She’s a nice filly,” Asmussen said. “It’s a little quick back, but she’s trained really well since. It’s a good spot for her.”

Ricardo Santana Jr., who won last year’s riding title at Oaklawn, has the mount from post 8. Street Story has natural speed, and could get a tracking trip off More Than Beauty, who has been working sharply at Oaklawn for what will be her first start since a 3 1/4-length allowance win at Churchill in September.

“I think she’s very handy,” Asmussen said of Street Story.

Asmussen has 40 horses settled in at Oaklawn. He was the leading trainer in North America by wins in 2013, and this season will be chasing a sixth title at Oaklawn.

“We have wonderful opportunity at Oaklawn, purses what they are,” Asmussen said. “Hopefully, Mother Nature eases up a bit and we can get things done.”

Others in the Dixie Belle include Xray Vision, a multiple stakes-placed runner for trainer Lynn Chleborad, who enters Friday’s card six wins from career victory 1,000.